







Class 

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Our Little Jewish Cousin 


The Little Cousin Series 

I L LUSTRA TED 

& 

By Mary Hazelton Wade 
Our Little Japanese Cousin 
Our Little Brown Cousin 
Our Little Indian Cousin 
Our Little Russian Cousin 
Our Little African Cousin 
Our Little Cuban Cousin 
Our Little Hawaiian Cousin 
Our Little Eskimo Cousin 
Our Little Philippine Cousin 
Our Little Porto Rican Cousin 
Our Little Swiss Cousin 
Our Little Norwegian Cousin 
Our Little Siamese Cousin 
Our Little Italian Cousin 
Our Little Irish Cousin 
Our Little Turkish Cousin 
Our Little German Cousin 
Our Little Jewish Cousin 
By Isaac Taylor Headland 
Our Little Chinese Cousin 
By Elizabeth Roberts MacDonald 
Our Little Canadian Cousin 
* 

Each volume illustrated with six full-page plates 
in tint, from drawings by L. J. Bridgman. 
Cloth, i2mo, with decorative cover, per volume, 
60 cents. 

L. C. PAGE & COMPANY 
New England Building, Boston, Mass. 




















































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— — 



ESTHER 


^»trr|rr|rr|?r|Tr|rrtrr|?T|rr|rHt»r|T»^r|?t|rr|?»|r^(H 

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| Our Little Jewish j 

I Cousin I 

* * 

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By 

Mary Hazelton Wade 


Illustrated by 

L. J. Bridgman 



Boston 

L. C. Page & Company 

MDCCCCIV 


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❖ 

*§> 

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❖ 

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CONGRESS 
Two CoDies Received 

JUL 27 1904 

^ Copyright Entry 
CLASS a. XXo. No. 


9 ^ . 

COP 





Copyright, 1904 
By L. G. Page & Company 

(incorporated) 

All rights reserved 


0 

e c 
« < 
c c © 


Published June, 1904 


Colonial 33«2S 

Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Co. 
Boston, Mass., U.S. A. 


Preface 


In whatever direction you may travel, — 
north, south, east, or west, — you will doubt- 
less meet some of your little black-eyed 
Jewish cousins. They live among us here 
in America. They also dwell in the coun- 
tries far away across the wide ocean. 

Why are they so scattered, you may ask. 
Is there no country which is really theirs, and 
which is ruled over by some one they have 
chosen ? Is there not some place where they 
can gather together happily whenever they 
please ? The answer is always no. 

They cannot say of this land or of that, 
“ It is ours,” for they are homeless. Pales- 
tine, which was once theirs, is now in the 
hands of the Turks. Jerusalem, the city they 
love best in the whole world, is in the power 


VI 


Preface 


of those who look with scorn upon the Jewish 
people. 

For many centuries they have been scattered 
far and wide. Their children learn to speak 
the language of the country where they hap- 
pen to be born. They play the games and 
dress in the fashion of that country. 

What is it that keeps them Jews? It is 
their religion, and their religion alone. It 
binds them as closely together now as it did 
in the days when they worshipped in the great 
temple at Jerusalem, two thousand years ago. 

These Jewish cousins would say to us 
“ Our people have suffered greatly. Yet they 
do not lose courage. Our parents tell us 
stories of the glorious past, over and over 
again. They will not let us forget it, and they 
teach us to hope for the time when Jerusalem 
will again be ours, and a new temple, in which 
we shall be free to worship, will stand upon 
the spot where the old one was destroyed.” 


Contents 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. The Place of Wailing i 

II. The Gazelle 17 

III. The Feast of the Passover . . .33 

IV. The Orphan 42 

V. The Jews of Long Ago . . . .49 

VI. Queer Sights 57 

VII. The Cave 67 

VIII. The Sweet Singer of Israel . . .76 


4 


i_,ist of Illustrations 


PAGE 


Esther .... 

• 

Frontispiece S 

“ It was a dark, dreary 

WALLS ON THREE SIDES 

COURT 

OF IT ” 

WITH STONE 


Levi and His Camel 

• 

. 

to 

Qs 

\ 

A Woman of Bethlehem 

• 

. 

6o S 

A Street in Jerusalem 

• 

• • • 

62 / 

A Bedouin 



68 ✓ 



Our Little Jewish Cousin 


CHAPTER i. 

THE PLACE OF WAILING 

“ Come, Esther ! Come, Solomon ! I am 
waiting for you,” cried a woman’s voice. 

The two children were in the courtyard, 
but, when they heard their mother calling, 
they ran into the house at once. 

They knew why they were called, for it was 
Friday afternoon. Every week at this time 
they went to the “Place of Wailing” with 
their parents to weep over the troubles of 
their people and to think of the old days 
of Jerusalem, before the Romans conquered 
the city. 


2 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

“ Esther, your hair needs brushing. Solo- 
mon, make your hands and face as clean as 
possible,” said their mother, as she looked 
at the children. 

She loved them very dearly. She was 
proud of them, too. Solomon was a bright, 
clever boy, quick in his studies, while Esther 
was really beautiful. Her glossy black hair 
hung in long curls down her back. Her 
black eyes were soft and loving. Her skin 
was of a pale olive tint, and her cheeks were 
often flushed a delicate pink. 

Her mother looked tenderly at her as she 
brushed the little girl’s hair. 

cc Mamma, grandma says I look ever so 
much as you did when you were my age,” 
said Esther, as she trudged by her mother’s 
side down the narrow street. 

“ Yes, yes, my child, I have heard her say 
so. But never mind your looks or mine now. 
Think of where we are going.” 


The Place of Wailing 


3 


It was a hot walk. The sun was shining 
brightly. The street, the stone houses, every- 
thing around shone dusty gray in colour. 
There were no sidewalks. When a camel 
drew near with his load, or a horseman passed 
by, Esther had to walk close to the walls of 
the houses for fear the animals would rub 
against her. 

She was born in this old city of Jerusalem. 
She had never been far away from it, and knew 
little of the wide streets and broad sidewalks 
found in many other cities. 

She had sometimes heard her father and 
mother talk of their life in Spain. They came 
from that country before Esther and her 
brother were born. It was a long journey, 
but they had said, “ We cannot be happy 
anywhere except in Jerusalem. That alone is 
the home of our people.” 

Esther’s father might have grown rich in 
Spain. He was a trader. He understood 


4 Our Little Jewish Cousin 


his business well. But in Jerusalem it was 
harder for him to get money. 

What a strange name for the place where 
the family were going this afternoon ! But it 
well deserved to be called “ The Place of 
Wailing.” It was a dark, dreary court with 
stone walls on three sides of it. Many Jews 
were already there when Esther and her 
people arrived. 

Some of them were seated on the ground. 
They were weeping bitterly and rocking their 
bodies to and fro. Others, with sad faces, 
were reading from the Hebrew Bible. Still 
others were kissing the wall and bumping it 
with their foreheads. Some parts of the rock 
had actually been worn smooth by the lips of 
those who had come here week after week and 
year after year. For they really believed it 
was a part of the old temple wall. 

Little Esther, with her glossy black curls, 
did just what she saw the others do. The 



“ IT WAS A DARK, DREARY COURT WITH STONE WALLS 
ON THREE SIDES OF IT.” 



- 








, 






















































































































































The Place of Wailing 


5 


tears began to fall from her eyes as she went 
close up to the wall and kissed the cold gray 
stone. 

Did all of these people really feel as bad 
as they seemed to do ? Certainly. For they 
were grieving that Jerusalem was no longer 
great and no longer theirs. It was now in the 
hands of the Turks, but, long before they 
came, the Romans had taken the city from 
the Jews, after a long and bitter fight. 

Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath. It is 
their holy day, and the time when they rest 
from work. On Friday afternoon they begin 
to prepare for the Sabbath. Hundreds of the 
Jews in Jerusalem gather at the Place of 
Wailing at that time. They not only ■ weep 
and read from their Bible, but they also pray 
to the Lord to take their country out of the 
hands of their enemies and give it back to 
them. 

As Esther walked home she looked up at 


6 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

the mosque of Omar. It is the Turks’ 
grandest place of worship in the city. Her 
father told her that it stands on the very spot 
where Solomon’s wonderful temple was built. 

“ That temple was the most beautiful one 
ever seen by men,” said the Jew. “ Its bright- 
ness was enough to dazzle the eyes of those 
who looked upon it. Its walls were plated 
with gold. The very gate was golden. 

“ A beautiful golden vine, with clusters of 
grapes as large as a man’s body, was draped 
over the gate. The floor was paved with 
gold. Golden lilies were carved upon the 
pillars and mouldings. 

“ There was no door. But there was a 
reason for this. It was to show that the 
heavens are always open. They are closed to 
no one.” 

“ And now, papa, nothing is left of that 
beautiful building,” said Esther. 

“Not one stone, my dear. But we Jews 


The Place of Wailing 7 

all hope the time will come when it will be 
rebuilt.” 

“It was not the first temple which was 
destroyed by the Romans when they took 
Jerusalem, was it?” 

“ Oh, no. The second temple had been 
standing in its place for hundreds of years at 
that time. It was wonderfully beautiful, too. 
Herod the Great spent vast sums of money 
on it. It was the wonder of every one who 
looked upon it. But our enemies destroyed 
it, as you well know.” 

That evening, while Esther and her brother 
sat by their father’s side, he told them the 
story of the destruction of Jerusalem and of 
the brave men and women who tried to 
save it. 

The Jews had feared for some time that 
something dreadful would happen. They had 
seen strange visions. While the feast of the 
Passover was taking place, the great temple 


8 Our Little Jewish Cousin 


was filled with a light like that of noonday. 
And this happened at the ninth hour of the 
night. 

Something else quite as wonderful as this 
took place. The bronze door of the Gate 
Beautiful opened of itself at the sixth hour of 
the night. Yet this very gate was so heavy 
that twenty men could scarcely move it, even 
when the great iron bolts had been drawn. 

Esther looked up at her father with sur- 
prised eyes as he told of these things. But 
when he spoke of seven chariots that drove 
across the sky, and of the armies the frightened 
people saw in the clouds, she was still more 
astonished. 

“ I should think our soldiers would have 
lost courage before they were attacked/’ she 
exclaimed. 

“ Not so, Esther. But listen, my child, as 
I describe the mighty Roman army that soon 
drew near Jerusalem. Multitudes of Syrians 


The Place of Wailing 9 

had joined them, and these led the way as they 
came marching up the heights. 

“ Titus, the Roman general, followed the 
Syrians. The spearmen came with him. Next 
came the legions with their terrible short 
swords and the trumpets that filled the air 
with word of their approach. 

“ Every footman among the Romans was 
armed with a sword, a lance, and a shield. 
Besides these, he carried with him a saw, axe, 
hook, pickaxe, and enough food to last him 
for three days. The horsemen were also fur- 
nished with everything they needed for battle 
or for a long siege. 

“ This great army steadily drew nearer and 
nearer. Do you think the brave soldiers 
guarding our city trembled with fear as they 
looked forth from the watch-towers and saw 
them ? ” 

“ Not so, father. A Jew fears nothing.” 

“You are quite right. But now, let us 


io Our Little Jewish Cousin 

return to Jerusalem as she stood then. A 
triple wall, thirty feet high, had been built 
around the city, except where it was separated 
from the rest of the country by deep ravines. 
One wall was quite enough to protect it in 
such places. Many watch-towers had been 
set up around the city. It seemed impossi- 
ble to take it by surprise at any point. 

“The temple stood on Mount Moriah in 
all its glory. But it was not a temple alone. 
It was also a strong fortress.” 

“ How could the Romans take the city, 
even if their numbers were so great ? ” asked 
Solomon. 

^hey could never have won, except for 
one th^ng. Our people were not wholly 
united. A party of them under the high 
priest, Ananus, felt there was no hope. They 
believed it would be wisest to give up at once 
and make peace. 

“ But the others said, c No, we will fight to 


The Place of Wailing 1 1 

the end, and will drive our enemies from the 
city.' If every one had felt from the first 
as these did, all would have been well. It 
was too late when the different parties agreed 
to work for one end. 

“The Romans threw immense stones into 
the city. They cut down the trees in all the 
country round, and made towers from which 
they hoped to fire and destroy the buildings 
inside the walls. 

“They succeeded, for they soon made an 
opening in the outer wall. Then the second 
wall gave way before the mighty force. And 
all this time those Romans, who were stationed 
across from the city on the Mount of Olives, 
were throwing such huge stones from their 
great engines that the houses and people 
inside Jerusalem were being destroyed, both 
by day and by night. 

“ Worse still ! they began to lack food and 
to suffer from starvation. They could not 


12 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

hold out much longer. The time soon 
came when the last wall was broken down 
and Titus marched through the streets of the 
city. 

“ It was very strange that it was the anni- 
versary of the day when the first temple was 
destroyed by the soldiers of Babylon. 

“‘It is on fire! The glorious temple is 
burning ! * cried our people, as they saw the 
flames. A Roman soldier had kindled the 
fire without the knowledge of Titus, who had 
not wished to injure this wonder of the whole 
world. 

“ Some of the priests threw themselves into 
the flames. Before it was destroyed, Titus, 
with his captains, entered the holy place. 
The Roman general cried, c It is more beauti- 
ful than I even imagined. Its riches are a 
perfect marvel.’ 

“ The golden candlesticks and tables and 
cups, the sweet spices of which the priests 


The Place of Wailing 13 

made incense, the precious stones, were laid 
at the feet of the conqueror.” 

“ What did he do with all this wealth ? ” 
asked Esther. 

“He carried most of it back to Rome. 
But he rewarded the bravest of his soldiers 
with crowns of gold and chains of silver. 

“ He had fought for many days before 
Jerusalem gave up. In that time the country 
around us had been ruined. The forests had 
been cut down for the making of engines of 
war. The herds of cattle had been killed to 
furnish food for the army of Titus. The 
harvests had been gathered for the same pur- 
pose. As for the people themselves, more 
than a million were killed and the rest were 
made the slaves of the Romans.” 

<c Don't feel bad, papa,” said Esther, lov- 
ingly. <c That was a very long time ago.” 

<c Yes, Esther, but our people have been 
scattered over the world ever since then. We 


14 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

shall never be happy till we are once more 
the rulers of this city.” 

“ Mother told me a story, the other day,” 
said Solomon, who had not spoken for a long 
time. “ It was about a family who lived here 
when Titus appeared before our gates. I 
think she told it to make me brave.” 

“ What is the story, Solomon ? ” asked his 
father. 

cc There was a brave man in our city. He 
was of noble blood and true to his faith. 
He had a faithful wife and seven sons. You 
shall hear how brave and true they were. 

cc The Roman army began the terrible siege. 
Before it was over, the brave noble was killed, 
but his wife and children lived. After Titus 
entered the city, he heard of this family. He 
ordered them to be brought before him. 

“ As they stood in his presence he spoke 
to each in turn. He offered them freedom 
if they would give up their faith and bow 


The Place of Wailing 


IS 


down before his gods. But not one of them 
hesitated. They had not a single thought of 
giving up their faith in the one living God. 
No, not for the sake of life. 

“ One by one they were led away to death. 
At last, only the youngest son was left before 
the conqueror. Titus was moved to pity for 
the beautiful boy. He really wished to save 
him. He said, c My child, see ! I will drop 
my ring for the sake of the gods. If thou 
wilt pick it up, thy life shall be spared.’ 

cc The boy looked up at him firmly. He 
answered, c It shall lie there where you dropped 
it. I am afraid of no living man. I fear only 
the thought of life without the One God.’ ” 

“ Of course, he followed his brothers. But 
what became of the mother ? ” asked Esther. 

“ She begged to die with her sons. She 
said Abraham had built one altar on which to 
sacrifice to God. She had built seven ! And 
she spoke truly.” 


1 6 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

“ It is a noble story of noble people/’ said 
the children’s father. cc There were many 
like them in that old time. Let us hope 
there are still many in the world.” 


CHAPTER II. 


THE GAZELLE 

“ Shall I help ? ” asked Solomon. 

“ Yes, indeed. Take the seeds in the skirts 
of your coat and come along,” was the answer. 

Solomon and Esther were visiting some 
friends in a village near Jerusalem. It was the 
month of December and the time to plant the 
crops in Palestine. 

“ After we have scattered the grain,” Solo- 
mon’s friend Levi said, cc the camel shall help 
us plough the ground. Then the seed will 
take care of itself.” 

It did not surprise Solomon to hear of a 
camel drawing a plough. 

Levi’s camel was as useful to him as horses 

are to farmers in America. Solomon and 
17 


1 8 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

Esther had been at their friend’s many times 
when the great, slow, clumsy animal helped 
his master about the farm and garden. 

“He isn’t handsome, but I love the dear 
old fellow,” said Levi. “ He is more patient 
than most camels. I know he is slow beside 
some of his fellows, but he cannot help that.” 
Levi stroked the camel’s head. 

cc There, see ! He likes to have me notice 
him as well as my new pet.” 

The camel bent his head down toward his mas- 
ter, with a look that said as plainly as words, 
“ I love you, master, for you are kind to me.” 

“ What is the new pet, Levi ? ” asked 
Solomon. 

“ When I get through my sowing, you may 
go into the house and call Esther. Then you 
two shall see it together.” 

Solomon could hardly wait for Levi to finish 
his work. But at last the seeds were all 
scattered. 


The Gazelle 


l 9 


Cf I won’t go at the ploughing just yet. I 
am tired, and it is warm. We will rest awhile. 
I know you are anxious to find out what I 
have to show you. I got it for my wife, 
Rebecca.” 

Levi was a young man and had been mar- 
ried only a short time. He was very fond of 
his pretty wife, and liked to have surprises for 
her. He led the way to the house where 
Esther was talking with Rebecca. 

“ Solomon wishes to see our new pet,” he 
said. “Have you told Esther about it?” 

f< Not yet. We will all go together,” 
answered the young Jewess. 

They went out to the stable and Levi pointed 
to a bed of straw over in the corner. There 
something lay curled up and sound asleep. 

“ It’s a gazelle. Oh, what a beauty! ” cried 
Esther. c< It’s only a baby still.” 

<c I never saw such a little one before,” said 
Solomon. “ May I take it up in my arms ? ” 


20 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

The gazelle waked up at the sound of 
voices. It opened its soft, dark eyes with 
a frightened look. 

“ It is very shy, ” said Rebecca. “ But we 
pet it so much it will soon get over its fear. 
You children ought to see it run and frolic 
with me.” 

“ Here, little one, come and eat,” said the 
gazelle’s mistress, in a low, sweet voice. 

It sprang up and started toward Rebecca. 
But, when it had come half-way, it became 
frightened again at the sight of the visitors. 
The food looked too tempting, however, and 
it came to Rebecca’s side. 

“ I believe no other animal has as beautiful 
eyes as the gazelle. It is certainly the most 
graceful of all creatures,” said Levi. 

“ See how white its breast is ! ” said Esther. 
“ The dear little thing ! Mayn’t I hold it for 
just a minute ? ” 


“ Certainly, dear.” 


The Gazelle 


21 


Rebecca was very fond of Esther and her 
brother. She loved to have them visit her. 
She picked up the gazelle and put it in the 
little girl’s lap as soon as she had seated her- 
self on a pile of straw. 

Esther patted the gazelle tenderly. “ It is 
better than any doll. I wish I had one of 
my own. I should love it dearly.” 

cc I cannot stop any longer now,” said Levi. 
“ My old camel is wondering why I don’t 
go to work. Are you coming with me, 
Solomon ? ” 

“ Of course I am,” answered the boy, and 
the two started for the field. 

“ What shall we do with ourselves ? ” asked 
Rebecca, when she and Esther had been left 
alone. 

“ Oh, I know what you would like,” she 
went on. (< We will go over into our neigh- 
bour’s orchard. He is gathering olives, and 
we will watch him.” 


22 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

“ I would like that ever so much,” answered 
her little visitor. 

It took them only a few minutes to 
get to the olive orchard. The owner and 
his sons were beating the branches with long 
sticks, and knocking off the fruit to the 
ground. Two women were busily at work 
gathering the olives in baskets. As soon 
as a basket was filled, it was carried away 
and emptied, and then brought back to be 
filled again. 

It was surprising how quickly the women 
gathered their loads. Then away they would 
step with their baskets on their heads, walking 
as easily and gracefully as though they were 
free of all burdens whatever. 

“ Come on and help us,” they cried to 
Rebecca and Esther. “The more at work 
the merrier we shall be. There are two empty 
baskets under that tree.” 

The visitors were soon busy trying to see if 


The Gazelle 


2 3 

they could fill their baskets as quickly as the 
others did. 

“ I am not tempted to eat the olives,” said 
Esther. “ They are too bitter. But I am 
very fond of them after they are pickled.” 

“ So are we all,” answered one of the 
women. cc I don’t know how we should get 
along without olives and the oil we make from 
them.” 

“ They say the Christians not only eat that 
unclean animal, the pig, but they also use its 
fat for cooking, just as we use olive-oil,” said 
Rebecca. 

“ Ugh ! What a horrid idea. I should be 
afraid to eat anything in the house of a Chris- 
tian, for fear of being poisoned,” cried Esther. 
“ Mamma has told me they sometimes die 
of diseases we Hebrews never have. It is 
probably because they eat pork and use lard.” 

“ No doubt of it, Esther,” answered Re- 
becca. c< It is a wise law of our religion that 


24 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

forbids us to eat any food obtained from the 
hog.” 

“We must not stop to talk too much, 
though. See ! our friends are getting ahead 
of us.” 

Nothing more was said for some time. 

“ It is surprising how quickly we finished,” 
said one of the women to Rebecca, as the last 
basket was emptied. “ It is because our friends 
gave us so much help. Won’t you come to 
the house with us now and have a luncheon ? ” 

“ No, thank you,” answered Rebeeca. “It 
is nearly supper time, and I must go home 
and do some cooking.” 

“ I am anxious to see the dear little gazelle 
again,” said Esther. 

As she walked back to her friend’s house 
Rebecca told her stories about wild gazelles. 

“ They like to keep together,” she said. 
“ They are very fond of each other’s com- 
pany. While they are feeding, one of them 


The Gazelle 


25 


stands on guard to see if any enemies are 
stealing upon them. If he hears a sound that 
means danger, he gives the alarm and away 
the flock flees like the wind.” 

“ I have often heard father speak of being 
as fleet as a gazelle,” said Esther. “ But 
what are its worst enemies ? ” 

<f The lion and the leopard, I suppose. 
Poor little creature ! If a lion takes it by 
surprise, there is little hope for its life. Its 
only chance is in flight. 

cc There are times when less dangerous 
animals come upon a herd of gazelles, and 
then they make a stand to defend themselves. 
They gather in a close mass, with the mothers 
and little ones in the centre. The males make 
a ring on the outside, pointing their horns 
toward the enemy.” 

cc Isn't it wonderful they should be so wise? 
How did you learn so much about gazelles, 
Rebecca ? ” 


26 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

“ Levi told me. But I must hurry now 
to get supper. We are going to have some- 
thing nice.” 

Rebecca was a good cook. Although 
Esther was quite hungry from being out-of- 
doors so much, it did not seem very long 
before a roast goose and a dish of onions 
were steaming on the supper table. 

“ It is ready just in time, Levi,” said his 
wife, as her husband and Solomon came into 
the house. 

“ I am quite tired, but the smell of the 
supper is enough to make me forget all about 
it. Tired as I was, though, I stopped to feed 
my faithful camel.” 

c< How old is he ? ” asked Solomon. 

“ My father had him before he was six 
months old, and that was twenty years ago. 
I was a little fellow just toddling about 
then. So, you see, the camel and I grew up 
together.” 











mm 






LEVI AND HIS CAMEL 






































































































































































































































































The Gazelle 


27 


“ It is no wonder you love him, Levi,” 
said Solomon. “ I don’t believe I ever saw a 
baby camel.” 

“ Isn’t it hard work training a camel to 
obey you, and to kneel at your command ? ” 

cc Father said he had to use a great deal of 
patience at first. The camel kicked and 
fought and grumbled before he could be made 
to bend his knees. Even now, he scolds a good 
deal about obeying, as you children know.” 

“ Esther and I saw a camp of Bedouins 
on our way here,” said Solomon. <c They 
were tending a flock of beautiful sheep. One 
of the shepherds was holding a new-born 
lamb in his bosom.” 

<c Those fierce Bedouins are tender to their 
flocks, but cruel to men,” said Levi. cc You 
cannot trust them for a moment. They look 
down upon us village people. But in our 
hearts we scorn them.” 

“ They are dreadful thieves,” said Rebecca. 


28 Our Little Jewish Cousin 


“ When I was up in Jerusalem, the other 
day, I heard a story about a Bedouin woman 
who went last summer into a rich man’s gar- 
den. The owner of the place was just coming 
into the entrance when he met the woman 
with a basket of lettuce on her head. She was 
a relation of one of his servants. He stopped 
and asked her several questions about her 
errand there. She told him she had just been 
to his place to try to sell her lettuce, but she 
could not do it, as the garden contained all his 
family could use. 

“ The gentleman supposed she was telling 
the truth. What was his surprise, then, when 
he found out after she was safe out of sight 
that the woman had stolen every head of 
lettuce out of his garden ! ” 

“ It is just like the deceitful creatures,” 
said Levi. “ I dislike the sight of them.” 

“ Are you going to have much honey this 
year ? ” asked Solomon. 


The Gazelle 


29 

cc Yes, I have several swarms of bees, and 
I hope they will do well.” 

“ It won't be long before we shall have 
some fresh honey,” said Rebecca. “ Then 
you children must pay us another visit, for I 
know you like sweet things.” 

<c I wish we didn't need to go home to- 
morrow. But mother said we mustn't stay 
here any longer this time. By and by, 
though, there will be more wild flowers to 
pick, and I had rather be here then. I love 
to get big bunches of tulips and poppies and 
trim the house with them.” 

“ How many red flowers we have here in 
Palestine ! ” said Rebecca. 

She did not know that Christian travellers 
from other parts of the world speak of them 
as the “ Saviour's Blood Drops,” They are 
sure to notice the fields dotted with brilliant 
scarlet flowers. 

cc Do you want me to tell you a story of 


30 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

King Solomon ? ” asked Levi. “ Your speak- 
ing of the honey and the flowers put it into 
my mind.” 

“ Of course we do,” said both children. 

“ Very well, then. It is about the visit 
of the Queen of Sheba with her generals and 
armies. As she approached, the great king 
received her sitting on his throne in that 
wondrous palace of which you have heard 
so much. 

“ c Is he as wise as people say ? * the queen 
said to her attendants. c I will find this out 
for myself/ 

“ Now it happened that her subjects were 
noted for their skill in making artificial flowers. 
Those who made it their business to study 
flowers could not tell the difference between 
real ones and these imitation ones, they were 
so perfect. 

c< The queen decided to test King Solomon’s 
wisdom in this matter. She ordered two 


The Gazelle 


3 1 


beautiful wreaths to be prepared. One was 
to be made of real flowers and the other of 
artificial ones. Taking the two wreaths in her 
hands, she presented herself before the king 

cc c Choose one of these for yourself/ she 
said. 

cc There seemed to be no choice as to which 
he would take, although he looked at them 
closely. But his wise mind told him there 
must be some difference. The birds and 
insects could tell him which one to take. He 
looked out of a window and saw honey-bees 
in the garden below. Then he knew what 
to do. He ordered the window to be opened. 
The breeze carried the odour of the flowers 
out to the bees and they came flying into 
the room. 

“ You can easily guess they alighted on the 
wreath of real flowers. The artificial ones did 
not attract them in the least Then Solomon 
spoke. 


32 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

“ £ The bees have told me which wreath 
to choose/ he said.” 

“ The Queen of Sheba found out that the 
king was truly wise, didn’t she ? ” said 
Solomon. 

££ Yes, Solomon, and you who are named 
for him should always remember what the 
Queen of Sheba learned, — that there is one 
thing worth more than riches or beauty.” 

££ And that is wisdom,” said Rebecca, softly. 


CHAPTER III. 

THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER 

It was the first evening of the seven days 
set apart to celebrate the deliverance of the 
Jews from their bondage in Egypt and their 
safe passage to a new home of their own. 

Solomon and Esther were dressed in their 
Sabbath clothes. So were their father and 
mother. The house was trimmed as though 
for a wedding. 

“Is the table ready ?” Esther’s mother 
asked the servant. 

“ Quite ready. Everything is in its place, I 
think,” was the answer. 

The children’s father led the way, and the 

family gathered around the table. There 

were lettuce and cress, unleavened bread, wine, 
33 


34 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

and a meat bone which was carefully covered 
with a fine cloth. 

Solomon and his father began to chant. 
They rocked themselves to and fro at the 
same time. This motion of their bodies was 
to express as well as possible the words of the 
psalm, “ All my bones shall praise thee.” 

When the chant was finished, the master of 
the house cut a slice from a loaf of bread 
shaped like a crescent. 

“ These two pieces of bread,” he said, 
solemnly, “ are like the shores of the Red 
Sea. But now, as I join them together again, 
it seems as though we could see the waves 
sweeping over Pharaoh’s host.” 

He then took one-half the loaf and, putting 
it in a napkin, tied it on Solomon’s shoulders. 
There it remained till the ceremony was over. 
Everybody drank some wine, and then an- 
other chant was sung. After that, they ate 
some lettuce and jam and chanted again. 


The Feast of the Passover 35 

Esther’s father now took some bread, 
spread it with jam, wrapped it in lettuce 
and wound cress around it. He gave some 
of it to each one to eat. This was done in 
memory of the ten plagues of Egypt. 

The service was not finished until every one 
had eaten eggs. This was a sign of mourning 
that their temple had been destroyed. 

Solomon and Esther understood the mean- 
ing of all that was done this evening. They 
had been carefully taught the history of the 
“ Chosen People,” as they liked to call them- 
selves. But at this festival their father once 
more repeated many of the stories of the 
olden time. 

He said, “ We do not celebrate this festival 
exactly as our forefathers did. They always 
sacrificed a lamb. They were also careful to 
eat no leavened food for the whole seven days. 
We follow the rule about unleavened bread 
still, and we look upon the first and last days 


36 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

as holy. You must never do labour of any 
kind on these two days.” 

Then he went on to tell the story of the 
first Passover, and how Pharaoh, as the ruler 
of Egypt was called, wished to keep the 
Hebrews in bondage. He was building two 
treasure-cities, and he needed great numbers 
of workmen to make the bricks. He did 
not wish the Hebrews to join his enemies 
or leave the country. 

He was a stern ruler, and he made his 
slaves work very hard. Yet they had many 
children. The Pharaoh did not like this. 
He feared they would become too powerful. 
So he ordered that every new-born boy among 
them should be killed. 

It happened at this time that a little boy 
was born in a family where there were already 
two children. This new baby was a boy, and 
was given the name of Moses. The mother 
of the child was fearful lest he should be dis- 


The Feast of the Passover 


37 


covered and killed by the cruel Pharaoh. She 
hid him as best she could for three months. 
Then she thought : “ The danger grows 
greater every day. I must make some new 
plan to save him.” 

She placed the baby in a little cradle or ark, 
and carried him down to the shore of the 
river, where she hid him in the reeds. She 
told her daughter Miriam to stay near her 
brother and watch over him. Then she went 
away. 

A little while after this, who should come 
but the noble princess. Pharaoh’s daughter. 
She was going to bathe in the river. It was 
not long before she spied the smiling baby 
in the bulrushes. She was so pleased with the 
little fellow that she said, “ I will adopt the 
child. ,, 

Then the little Miriam came to her side 
and told the princess she knew of a good 
nurse. In this way it came about that Moses’ 


38 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

own mother was hired to take care of the 
baby. 

As he grew up in the king’s palace, his 
mother told Moses all about himself and 
his people. He was very carefully taught, 
and soon showed that he was “ mighty in 
words and deeds.” 

It happened one day that Moses saw one 
of the overseers cruelly beating an Israelite. 
He was so angry that he killed the overseer. 
Then he had to flee to save his own life 
from the wrath of Pharaoh. He went into 
the desert not far from the Red Sea, and there 
he stayed for forty years. 

He became a shepherd. Once while he 
was tending his sheep, he saw a strange sight. 
It was a burning bush. That in itself was 
nothing to wonder at. But the strange part 
of it all was that the bush looked as though it 
were in flames, yet it did not really burn up. 
It was a sign from Heaven ! 


The Feast of the Passover 39 

As Moses looked at the bush, he heard 
a voice. It cried, “ Take off your shoes, for 
you are standing on holy ground.” 

He listened in wonder as he next received a 
command from God to seek the ruler of 
Egypt, who was now treating the people 
of Israel with great cruelty. He must give 
the Pharaoh a message. It was this, — that 
God commanded Moses to lead the people of 
Israel out of Egypt and into the desert. 

At first Moses feared to do this. But the 
Lord caused some miracles to be performed 
before his eyes. Then he had faith, and 
became brave enough to do as God com- 
manded him. 

He went with his brother Aaron to the 
ruler of Egypt. He told him that he had 
received word from Heaven ordering him to 
lead the people of Israel out into the desert 
to take part in a feast. 

The cruel Pharaoh did not believe in God. 


40 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

He was angry with Moses and refused to let 
the people go. 

Moses now showed the power the Lord had 
given him. He lifted his rod and commanded 
ten plagues to come down on the land of 
Egypt. This was to punish the Pharaoh and 
force him to free the Israelites. 

One by one the plagues fell upon the 
country. The waters were changed to blood, 
and great numbers of frogs appeared upon the 
land. Besides these creatures, there were 
swarms of lice, flies, and other pests. 

The people of Egypt became sick. The 
land was covered with darkness. The Pharaoh 
was frightened and promised to let the Israel- 
ites leave his country. Then the darkness 
lifted and the plagues ceased. But as soon as 
this happened, the Pharaoh broke his promise. 

The troubles began again. Pharaoh made 
fresh promises, only to break them again as 
soon as the plagues stopped. 


The Feast of the Passover 41 

At last, God sent an angel into Egypt to 
kill all the first-born of the people. The 
Israelites, however, were not to be harmed. 
Moses told them to smear their door-posts 
with the blood of a lamb. 

The angel moved from house to house, 
doing as the Lord had directed. But when he 
came to a door-post marked with the blood 
of a lamb, he passed it by, and no one within 
was harmed. 

Esther’s father told the story that evening, 
as though the children had never heard it 
before. Yet they had listened to it every year 
since they could remember. 

The blood of a lamb ! Yes, the people in 
olden time had good reason to sacrifice a 
lamb at the Passover. 

It was well named the Passover, in memory 
of the angel’s passing over the homes of the 
Chosen People. 


CHAPTER IV. 

THE ORPHAN 

“ Dear me ! How my head aches/’ said 
Esther. “ I do wish those dogs would stop 
barking.” 

The little girl had been ill for two or 
three days. The hot days of summer had 
brought on a fever. The doctor had said, 
“ Keep the child quiet. All she needs is 
rest. She has played too much in the sun- 
shine.” 

But how could poor little Esther have 
quiet? The street dogs were noisy enough 
in the daytime, but when night came, it seemed 
as though every single one was wide awake 
and quarrelling with his neighbours. 

“ They have no home, and are almost 

42 


The Orphan 43 

obliged to fight, to get enough to eat. I am 
sorry for them,” said Esther’s mother. 

She felt more kindly to the dogs than most 
of the people in Jerusalem. They would 
have been glad to have the city rid of the 
creatures. 

These street dogs look very much like 
foxes. They have no homes of their own and 
almost no friends. Those living in one part 
of the city are always ready to carry on war 
against those of every other part. 

“ Let us take Esther up on the roof,” said 
the little girl’s father, one evening. “It is 
such a hot night, she cannot rest in this close 
room.” 

Esther felt better almost as soon as she had 
been carried up and settled on a soft couch. 
The roof of the stone house where she lived 
was flat. Most of the houses around her 
were built in the same way. Many of the 
neighbours spent their evenings on the roofs, 


44 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

and often moved from one roof to another to 
make calls on each other. 

Esther had been up there only a few 
minutes before she had a caller. It was a 
little girl about her own age. She told Esther 
some news about one of their playmates. She 
said : 

“ Only think of it ! Miriam’s father has 
just died. You know, Esther, her mother 
died so long ago that she doesn’t even remem- 
ber her. What will become of her now ? 
There is no one in the world to take care 
of her.” 

Esther was very fond of Miriam, and her 
heart was full of pity. 

She thought of her own comfortable home 
and then of the many Jews in the city who 
were very, very poor. Perhaps Miriam would 
become a beggar ! It was a dreadful thought. 

Just then Esther’s mother came up on the 
roof. She was dressed in a beautiful yellow 


The Orphan 


45 


robe. A rich girdle belted it in at the waist. 
She wore large golden hoops in her ears, 
and a heavy chain around her neck. 

c< Mamma is as lovely as a queen,” thought 
Esther. cc I know papa isn't rich. Still, he 
has enough and to spare, and we have many 
nice things. I will ask him and mamma to 
adopt Miriam. Then I shall have a sister 
of my own. 

“ Mamma, dear, I have just heard about 
Miriam, and now I want to ask you some- 
thing. Will you take her for your little 
daughter ? ” 

The mother sat down beside the sick girl. 
Her face wore a gentle smile. 

“ My dear, I am glad the thought came 
to you. You are a sweet, loving child. Do 
you know, your father and I have just been 
talking about this very thing. There is noth- 
ing our Church praises more highly than the 
adoption of an orphan. It is called c A good 


46 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

work.’ So we have decided to add one more 
to our little family.” 

Esther clapped her hands with joy. c< I 
know I shall get well at once,” she cried. 
“ The fever will go away, for I sha’n’t have 
time to think of it.” 

It was just as she had said. It seemed as 
though she began to get better from that very 
moment. She had so much to do trying to 
entertain her new sister, she did not think of 
herself. 

Miriam was sad at first. She could not 
help remembering she was an orphan. But 
her new father and mother were so kind to 
her, and Solomon and his sister tried so hard 
to make her happy, she soon forgot to be 
lonesome and sad. 

One day a message came from Rebecca and 
Levi. They wished all the children to come 
and visit them. Rebecca wrote : 

“We have a new pet, and I know you will 


The Orphan 


47 


be fond of it. It is a beautiful Syrian sheep. 
Its wool is a soft brown and yellow. Its tail 
is very broad and flat. It is so tame, it fol- 
lows me wherever I go. 

“ Besides,” the letter went on, “ we have 
quantities of fresh figs now, and I know you 
children are very fond of them.” 

c< May we go, mother ? Please say c yes/ ” 
asked Esther. 

“ If your father is willing,” was the answer. 
<c I shall be very lonesome, but it will do you 
all good to leave the city for awhile and visit 
our kind friends.” 

That evening, Esther and Miriam ran to 
meet their father. 

“ I wish father had a little farm,” said 
Esther, as the two girls walked arm in arm 
down the street. “ I should think it would be 
ever so much easier than being a trader.” 

“ I spoke about that once to my other 
father,” said thoughtful little Miriam. cc He 


48 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

said that in the good old times our people 
were generally shepherds or farmers. But 
nowadays they are almost all traders. 

cc It is because those who do not believe 
as we do have treated us so cruelly. They 
have made it hard for us to hold land. We 
have been forced to become traders. Our 
people are scattered all over the world. 
Father said there is hardly a country without 
some of them.” 

“ Let us ask papa to tell us stories of old 
times to-night,” said Esther. “ There, I see 
his scarlet robe away down the street now.” 


CHAPTER V. 

THE JEWS OF LONG AGO 

“ May we go to Levi's, papa dear ? " asked 
Esther, when the evening meal was over and 
the children were gathered with their parents 
on the housetop. “ Mamma said she was 
willing, but we must ask you." 

“ I think it would be very pleasant for you, 
and I know Levi and Rebecca like to have 
you there. Yes, you may go." 

“ I knew you would say yes. And now we 
want to ask you something else. Will you 
tell us some stories of long ago, before our city 
was destroyed ? " 

“ I suppose you would like best to hear 
about the children, Esther ? " 

“ Of course, papa." 


49 


50 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

“ They were very happy. Their parents 
were as wise and tender in caring for them 
as they are to-day. 

“ When they were yet quite young, they 
began to study the books of wisdom of our 
people. They went to school every day. 
There was one saying they heard over and 
over again. It was this, c Be not forgetful to 
entertain strangers/ 

“ c Our houses are not for us alone/ their 
parents said, and taught them this beautiful 
saying, c Let thy house be wide open, and let 
the poor be the children of the house/ 

“ There were many pilgrim feasts in those 
days. People came to Jerusalem to worship in 
the temple and to take part in the sacred festi- 
vals. Yet it is said that not one of these 
pilgrims ever felt the need of entertainment. 
The houses were open for all. 

<c Only think of it ! It was a common 
thing to walk along the street and see curtains 


The Jews of Long Ago 51 

hanging in front of the doors. This was a 
sign that there was still room for guests. 
Some people went so far as to say, c There 
should be four doors to every house. Then 
travellers could be welcomed from every 
direction/ ” , 

“ What kind of houses did the people live 
in ? ” asked Solomon. 

“ There were small cottages where the poor 
lived, for there were some, of course, who did 
not have much of this world’s goods. Then 
there were the houses of the middle class. 
These were built of brick or stone. And 
besides these there were the elegant marble 
homes of the rich, built around beautiful 
courtyards. 

cc The houses had flat roofs paved with stone 
or brick. They were made to slant down a 
little, so as to let the rain-water run off 
through pipes into the cistern below. These 
cisterns were needed in the old days just 


52 Our Little Jewish Cousin 


as much as now, on account of the long 
months when no rain fell and the country be- 
came so dry. 

“ A railing was built around each housetop. 
In this way it was made into a comfortable 
resting-place for the family and their friends. 
It was cool and quiet.” 

cc We follow the same fashion,” said Esther. 

“ Yes, but in the old times I suppose it was 
used even more than now. The older people 
often went up there to pray. Meetings were 
sometimes held there. It was also a good 
place to watch for the enemy. 

“ The rich people often had wide and 
costly stairs built up to the roof from the 
street. You can imagine the boys and girls 
running over these stairs in a game of chase 
or hide-and-seek.” 

“ How did the people of two thousand 
years ago furnish their houses ? ” asked 
Miriam. 


The Jews of Long Ago 53 

“ Very much as we do now. They had 
couches, chairs and tables, and there were 
often many soft cushions for the head and 
arms. The people used candlesticks and 
lamps, exactly as we do. 

“ But I promised to talk most about the 
children. They took part with their parents 
in family prayer every night and morning. 
They washed and prayed before every meal. 
After it, they gave thanks to God for his 
kindness to them. As each Sabbath came 
around, the children looked forward to it as 
though they were going to welcome a king. 
It was a time of rest and joy. 

“ When the father came home on the eve of 
the holy day, he found the house trimmed 
up as though for a feast. The Sabbath lamp 
was lighted. The table was spread with the 
richest feast the family could afford. Before 
doing anything else, the father blessed each 
child with the blessing of Israel. The little 


54 Our Little Jewish Cousin 


ones felt that something beautiful and holy 
was about to take place. 

“They were quite willing to give up their 
play for the next day. They would have 
something better/’ 

“ You have taught us all these things, papa,” 
said Esther. 

“ I know it, my dear. But I tell them 
again so that you may see we have not changed 
much since the old days. 

“ The children looked forward to the feast- 
days with joyful delight. It is hard to say 
which they liked best.” 

“They must have loved the Feast of the 
Dedication,” said Miriam. 

“ Why, Miriam ? ” 

“ On account of the many candles. It is so 
pleasant to watch a great number of them 
burning at once.” 

“Yes, children always love lights and bright- 
ness. The first evening of the feast, a candle 


The Jews of Long Ago 55 

was lighted for each one in the house. The 
second evening, two were lighted, and so on to 
the eighth night.” 

cc But the Feast of Esther brings more 
sport,” said Solomon. 

“You are just like every other boy, Solo- 
mon. You like noise and fun,” said his 
father. 

“ But, think a moment, children. Must 
not the Feast of the Passover have been the 
greatest one of all? ” 

“It was then that the father repeated the 
whole history of the Children of Israel to his 
listening children. They loved to hear it. It 
seemed to them as though they were really 
following the Chosen People in their wander- 
ings. They looked upon Moses receiving the 
commandments from Heaven. As they shut 
their eyes, they saw in their minds the waters 
of the Red Sea parting to let the Children 
of Israel pass across in safety. Then, again 


56 Our Little Jewish Cousin 


coming together, the waves closed over their 
enemies and destroyed them.” 

“ Father, you tell us the stories as well as 
any one possibly could,” said Solomon. 

“ I do my best, Solomon. But in the 
olden days the children were brought nearer 
to heaven by their visits to the temple. 

“ Think of that glorious building and its walls 
shining with gold ! It seems as though I could 
see the throng of white-robed priests and hear 
the blasts they sounded on their silver trumpets. 

cc Listen ! A chant from the Psalms rings 
through the great building. It sounds like 
heavenly voices.” Esther’s father closed his 
eyes and became silent. The children were 
filled with awe as they sat quietly beside him. 

“ I wish I could have lived in the long ago,” 
thought Esther. “ The temple must have 
seemed like a part of heaven brought to earth.” 

c< Now we will repeat the night prayer and 
go to rest,” said the father. 


CHAPTER VI. 

QUEER SIGHTS 

“ Would you like to go shopping with 
me?” said Esther's mother, the next after- 
noon. “ I must buy some things you children 
will need to carry with you on your visit.” 

Esther and Miriam jumped up from their 
play. They were always ready to go shop- 
ping. They liked to see the pretty things in 
the shops. 

Esther's mother had made herself ready for 
her walk by fastening a bright red shawl over 
her head. She never wore a hat or a bonnet, 
as do her American sisters. 

“ We will go to the market first,” she told 
the children. “ I wish to buy some fruit.” 

It was quite a long walk, but there was so 
57 


58 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

much to see on the way, Esther and Miriam 
did not think of that. 

“ Do see that drove of donkeys/’ exclaimed 
their mother, after they had entered one of the 
principal streets. “ They are laden with goat- 
skins filled with water, I suppose. Listen, 
children ! Their Arab driver is calling to 
them.” 

“ O-ar ! o-ar ! derak ! derak ! ” sounded 
the driver’s voice. 

A small boy running down a byway mim- 
icked the Arab. 

u O-ar ! o-ar ! derak 1 derak ! ” 

“ See that solemn old camel,” said Esther. 
“ He is laden with stones. They must be 
very heavy. Poor old fellow 1 I don’t blame 
him for growling at his master for trying to 
hurry him up.” 

“ His growl rattles so, it seems to come 
from his inmost stomach,” said the mother, 
laughingly. 


Queer Sights 


59 


“ Baksheesh ! baksheesh ! ” yelled a beggar 
sitting cross-legged against the wall of a house. 
The man was ragged and dirty. He held 
a tin pail before him. Kind-hearted people 
had dropped money, fruit, and vegetables into 
it as they passed by. 

“ There are many poor people of our own 
faith here in the city,” said Esther’s mother, as 
they went on their way. “They really suffer 
for lack of food. That man is a Turk. It 
may be that he is really as poor as he looks, 
and needs all the help he can get. But it 
is quite possible he has a comfortable home, 
and only begs because it is an easy way of get- 
ting a living.” 

“ Look, mamma, at that woman of Beth- 
lehem,” said Miriam. “ I know her by the 
dress.” 

Miriam pointed to the dark blue robe. 
Stripes of bright red, mixed with gold, reached 
down the sides. The sleeves were large and 


6o Our Little Jewish Cousin 


long, and trimmed in the same way. The 
woman’s white veil hung down from a tall 
cap. 

“ How heavy her cap must be,” said Esther. 
<c It is like a crown.” 

“ All the coins she owns are sewed on her 
cap,” answered the mother. “ It tells every 
one just how rich she is.” 

“ I don’t see how she does her work if 
she wears that robe all the time,” said Miriam. 
“ The sleeves are so large, I should think they 
must be in the way.” 

“ She probably ties them together behind 
her. I have been told that is the way. She 
can use them as pockets.” 

“ I don’t see how men ever get used to 
carrying such big loads,” said Esther. 

She pointed to two porters who were bent 
nearly double. Their loads were strapped 
upon cushions fastened on their backs, and 
held in place by straps around their heads. 



A WOMAN OF BETHLEHEM. 


r 


- 



































































. 

























* 







































































































6i 


Queer Sights 

cc Each of those men must have almost as 
much of a load as a camel carries,” said Esther’s 
mother. cc It seems almost impossible, but 
it is true. It is a hard life, a very hard 
life.” 

While she was speaking they entered the 
market. The eyes of the little girls were kept 
busy looking at the many different things of 
interest. 

There were Arabs in charge of camels 
laden with melons, grapes and figs. There 
were women selling vegetables, and at the 
same time taking care of their babies. There 
were patient donkeys longing to be freed from 
their loads of goods which their masters were 
trying to sell. 

“ Mamma, mamma ! ” whispered Esther. 
cc There is a baby gazelle in the basket on 
that woman’s head. It is even smaller than 
the one I saw at Rebecca’s. I suppose she 
is trying to sell the little thing.” 


62 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

“ Look at the woman beside her/’ said 
Miriam. “ She looks very tired. I suppose 
she has walked several miles from her own 
village with her baskets of fruit. Her baby 
boy sits on her shoulders, crowing and laugh- 
ing at every one who passes by.” 

“ Come, children. We will go now to 
some shops where I must buy things not 
sold here,” said Esther’s mother. 

She led the way out of the market and they 
entered a crowded street. There were Turks 
in their flowing robes, Arabs, Armenians, 
Syrians, and Jews. Almost all were gaily 
dressed, and many of them were handsome. 
The Arabs were either barefooted, or else 
they wore red or yellow slippers. 

“ They lift their feet as though they were 
passing over a desert,” said Esther to Miriam, 
as they went by some Arabs. 

“ I should think they would suffer from 
the heat,” answered her sister. “ Their heads 



A STREET IN JERUSALEM 


_____ 




Queer Sights 63 

look so big. I’m sure they have two or three 
caps under their turbans.” 

<c Perhaps they think the more clothing 
they wear, the better the heat will be kept 
out,” said their mother, who heard what they 
were talking about. 

cc Here is the shop I was looking for. We 
will go in.” 

She led the way into a sort of cave cut into 
the soft rock. It was a dark, dingy little place. 
There were shelves around the sides of it. In 
the middle was a sort of counter, where 
the storekeeper sat with his goods around 
him. 

As Esther’s mother entered, he slowly took 
his pipe from his mouth and stopped his 
gossiping with a friend who sat outside on the 
pavement. He was in no hurry, however. 
He acted more like a king on his throne 
than a trader who had to sell cloth for a 
living. 


64 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

“ Yellow plush, is it ? ” he asked. “ Ah ! I 
have some beautiful, beautiful. It is the very 
thing.” 

But his customer was not easily satisfied, 
and after she had finally picked out the piece 
she wished, there was a long talk about the 
price. Both were, satisfied at last. The plush 
was cut off and wrapped up, and the store- 
keeper was left to his own pleasure. 

Esther’s mother still had some errands to 
do, so they visited several other stores. They 
were not all in caves, however, but most of 
them were small and dark. 

At last, everything needed was purchased 
and the lady and children started homeward. 

<c Look at the sky,” said Esther. cc Isn’t it 
beautiful to-night ? ” 

The sun was almost setting. The clouds 
were turning a rosy red. They were so bright 
that the city itself seemed to share in their 
glory. 


Queer Sights 65 

“ Jerusalem the Blessed ! ” said Miriam, in a 
low voice. 

“ There is papa. We are late about getting 
home and so is he,” said Esther. w Now we 
can have his company.” 

Her father had already seen his wife and 
the girls, and was smiling at them. 

It was a warm evening, yet he wore his 
fur-trimmed, round velvet hat over the 
tight-fitting cap that never left his head in 
the daytime. A long lock of hair hung down 
on each side of his face, as it always did after 
he was dressed for the day. 

c< Bless you, my little ones,” he said, as Esther 
and Miriam each seized a hand. “ Now tell me 
what you have seen while you were shopping.” 

The children chattered as they do everywhere 
in the world. They described the market and 
the people, the camels and the shopkeepers. 

“ We were coming to your store when we 
found how late it was. Then we thought it 


66 Our Little Jewish Cousin 


would be closed, and you on your way home. 
And so you were,” said Esther, laughingly. 

By the time the children had reached their 
own door, they were so tired they thought 
only of bed and sleep. They were even too 
tired to care about their supper. 

“ But you must not slight your night 
prayer,” said their father, soberly. 

Esther’s and Miriam’s eyes winked and 
blinked a good many times before they got 
through the prayer. 

“ It never seemed so long before, except 
when I was sick,” Esther told her adopted 
sister, when they were at last stretched on their 
beds. “ And, do you know, Miriam,” she 
added, sleepily, “ I believe Solomon doesn’t 
always repeat it all. He says our people have 
so many prayers he gets tired of them some- 
times. Isn’t that dreadful ? ” 

But Miriam was already sound asleep, and 
did not answer. 


CHAPTER VII. 


THE CAVE 

cc Which way did you come? ” asked Levi, 
as he helped the two little girls down from the 
ass’s back. Solomon had walked by their side 
all the way. 

“ We passed through the Jaffa gate and 
then took the shortest way down here into the 
valley,” said Esther. 

Jerusalem is surrounded by walls. There 
are seven gates through which the city may be 
entered or left. But the Jaffa and Damascus 
gates are the ones most used. 

“ We saw a Bedouin riding a beautiful 
horse. He was in full dress, and looked just 
elegant,” said Solomon. “ I should like to 
own a horse like his.” 


67 


68 Our Little Jewish Cousin 


C£ Tell me how he was dressed/’ said 
Rebecca. 

“ His, long, wide cloak must have been 
quite new. I could tell, because the yellow 
stripes looked so clean and bright. The shawl 
bound around his head and hanging down over 
his shoulders was pure white,” said Miriam. 

“ His high red leather boots were the hand- 
somest part of his dress. There were tassels 
at the sides, of course,” interrupted Solomon. 
“ But his sash ! You ought to have seen the 
shining dagger and the pistol that were stuck 
in it. My ! the man looked as though he 
were ready to meet any one. 

“ His horse was a beauty, too. She was 
decked with red woollen tassels that reached 
clear to the ground. She snorted and stepped 
off with the spirit of a war-horse. You know 
the tassels are useful in keeping off the flies. 
There are such swarms of them the poor beasts 
suffer very much.” 



A BEDOUIN 



















































































































































































The Cave 


69 


cc But come along, children, I know you 
want to have a romp under the trees. You 
need not stay here talking any longer.” 

While Levi was speaking, Rebecca put her 
arm around Miriam’s waist and tried to make 
her feel at home. She had not been to Jeru- 
salem since the little orphan had come to live 
with Esther and Solomon. 

“ She is a sweet child,” she thought. “ Not 
as strong as Esther nor as brave as Solomon. 
But she will be grateful for kindness. I feel 
sure of that when I look into her eyes.” 

In a few minutes Rebecca and Levi were 
playing with their young company as though 
they were children themselves. 

“ To-morrow we will have a little picnic, 
and I will take you to a cave you have never 
visited,” promised Levi, as his young visitors 
were bidding him good night. 

“ It is a pleasant walk there, and not so far 
as to tire us,” added Rebecca. 


70 Oun Little Jewish Cousin 


The next morning was bright and clear. 
The breakfast was soon eaten, after which, 
Esther and Miriam helped Rebecca clean up 
the house and prepare the lunch they were to 
carry. 

While they were waiting for Levi and Solo- 
mon to finish some farm work, the little girls 
had a chance to pet the gazelle and the 
tame sheep of which Rebecca had written 
them. 

At last they were all ready to start. It was 
a pleasant walk, as Rebecca had said, yet there 
were several rough and rather wild places to 
pass through. 

“ Almost all the caves around here are made 
of limestone,” said Levi. “ It is so soft that 
the rains wear great hollows in the rocks.” 

“ Did you ever go to the cave of Adullam, 
Levi? ” asked Solomon. 

“ Yes, once when I was a boy. It is 
beyond Bethlehem. I had heard father speak 


The Cave 


7i 

of it. He told me that King David hid there 
with four hundred of his followers. ,, 

“ Four hundred ! It must be a very big 
cave, then,” said Esther. 

cc You would think so, if you once got 
inside. There is one hall that is thirty-eight 
yards long. There are several passages lead- 
ing into it. Some are so low that one has 
to crawl through them on his hands and knees. 
Others spread out into large chambers. Many 
of these chambers are very beautiful. The 
water has trickled down the walls and worn 
the soft limestone into the loveliest pat- 
terns.” 

“ How could you see, Levi ? wasn’t it dark 
inside the cave ? ” asked Solomon. 

“ Of course it was, but every one in the 
party carried a lighted torch or candle. The 
torches gave light enough to show the beautiful 
ornaments.” 

“There is our own cave ahead of us,” said 


72 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

Rebecca. “ Of course I mean it is the one we 
are to visit,” she added, with a laugh. 

All the children could see was a great mass 
of rocks on the side of a hill. As they drew 
nearer, they spied a small hole near the 
ground. 

“ Must we crawl through that hole ? ” asked 
Esther, with a shiver. 

“ It is larger than you imagine,” replied 
Levi. “ Besides, you only have to crawl a 
few feet. After that the way opens up quite 
suddenly. I will go first with my torch. 
Then you can all follow.” 

“ I’m afraid,” Miriam whispered to Esther. 
She did not wish Solomon to hear her. She 
feared he would make fun of her. 

“ Hold on to my hand and have courage. 
I will go ahead of you,” was the answer. 

One by one, they passed through the 
opening. 

“ Isn’t this fun ! ” cried Solomon, as they 


The Cave 73 

all stood in the chamber worn out of the 
rocks. 

“It makes me feel queer to think of being 
underground/* said Esther. 

“ Hark ! What’s that noise ? ” said Miriam, 
in a frightened voice. 

“ It’s only a family of bats we have taken 
by surprise. They are not used to callers,” 
said Levi. 

The bats were more frightened than Miriam. 
They flew about in a blind way. Several 
times they almost brushed against the faces 
of Rebecca and Levi, the tallest ones in the 
party. 

“ Ugh ! I don’t like bats,” said Miriam. 
“ I am going outside.” 

“Just wait a minute until I see if there are 
any pretty decorations on the walls. Look ! 
Here is just what I was searching for.” 

Levi held his torch up near the roof. 

“ Isn’t it beautiful ? How can Nature work 


74 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

in such a regular pattern ? ” said Rebecca, half 
to herself. 

“ It is because she is the handmaiden of 
the Lord,” replied Levi, reverently. 

After they had left the cave and were once 
more out in the bright sunshine, the children 
were allowed to choose a place for the picnic 
dinner. They had brought water for bathing 
the hands and face as well as for drinking. 
Levi had told them before they started that 
there was no well or spring near the place. 

After tfiey had washed and prayed, they 
were all ready to enjoy the nice luncheon 
Rebecca had prepared. 

“Tell us stories about King David, won’t 
you, please Levi ? ” asked Solomon. “ When 
you spoke of the cave of Adullam this morn- 
ing you said David hid there with a great 
many of his followers. I suppose that made 
me think of him now.” 

“ I should like nothing better,” said Levi, 


The Cave 


75 


stretching himself out on the ground. “But 
would you all like to hear about the c Sweet 
Singer of Israel ’ ? ” 

“ Indeed we would,” sounded a chorus of 
voices. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


THE SWEET SINGER OF ISRAEL 

“Very well, then. Let us go back to 
the days of long ago, long, even, before the 
destruction of our beloved city. Let us seek 
David on the hillsides, tending his flocks with 
loving care. 

“ One day a visitor came to the house of 
Jesse, Davids father. This visitor was no 
other than the prophet Samuel. He had 
received a command from the Lord telling 
him to take a vial of oil and seek the house 
of Jesse. 

ccc There/ said the Lord, c you will find 
the new king who is to succeed Saul.’ 

“ Samuel hastened to obey. When he 

reached Jesse's house, he asked to see his sons. 

76 


The Sweet Singer of Israel 77 

One by one passed before him till the eighth 
son, David, appeared. Then the voice of the 
Lord again spoke to Samuel. It said : 

“ c Arise, anoint him, for this is he.' 

“ As soon as the prophet had anointed 
David with the oil, the young man was filled 
with the spirit and power of God. At the 
same time, they left King Saul, who did many 
foolish and bad deeds after this. 

<c But what of David P Did he go out into 
the world and declare himself the future king 
of Israel ? Not so. He continued to live his 
peaceful, quiet life as a shepherd. He learned 
to sing, and play upon the harp. He now 
showed himself indeed the c Sweet Singer of 
Israel/ 

<c He began to show power in other ways, 
too. Many times the fierce lions and savage 
bears came creeping upon his flocks. Many 
times David met and overpowered them with 
the strength given to him by the Lord/* 


78 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

“ It seems as though I can see him guard- 
ing his flocks,” said Solomon, as Levi stopped 
talking to rest for a moment. “ His beautiful 
black eyes are looking out into the night and 
watching for danger. He looks at his sleep- 
ing sheep to see if all are safe. Then he hears 
the sound of foes drawing near and springs to 
meet them.” 

<c I like best to think of him with a tiny 
lamb in his arms,” said Esther. “ He holds 
it lovingly against his breast, as though he 
would say, c I will save you from all harm, 
poor, helpless creature/ ” 

Levi now went on with his story. 

“While David was still tending his flocks, 
King Saul was waging war upon the Philis- 
tines, the bitter enemies of our people. They 
became more and more daring, until at last 
they gathered on the side of a mountain right 
here in Israel. 

“Three of David’s brothers were fighting 


The Sweet Singer of Israel 79 


in Saul’s army and went out to meet the 
Philistines. David often went to the camp to 
visit his brothers. He happened to be there 
once when a Philistine giant marched forth 
and dared any Israelite to fight with him. 

“ There was no one who felt able to say, c I 
am not afraid ; I accept your challenge.’ 

“‘No one,’ did I say ? At first, this was 
true, for every one in Saul’s army kept silent. 
But when David saw this, he felt the spirit 
of the Lord stir within him. He arose, say- 
ing, c I will meet you.’ 

“He was now led before Saul, and there, in 
the presence of the king, he said he had faith 
that God would save him from harm, even 
from the hand of the giant. At first, Saul 
thought : 

“ c It is of no use for this young shepherd 
to go out alone to meet the giant. He will 
only lose his life.’ 

“ But when he heard what David said, he 


8o Our Little Jewish Cousin 


changed his mind. He got out a strong suit 
of armour, and even helped him to put it on. 
David was not used to such things. The 
armour weighed him down so that he staggered 
and almost fell. He said : 

“ c It would be better for me to carry only 
such weapons as I know. Let me take my 
shepherd’s staff and the sling I have used so 
often in meeting the wild beasts.’ 

“ He was allowed to do as he chose. He 
went forth to meet the giant with nothing to 
help him save his staff and sling. 

And what did the giant, Goliath, say when 
he saw the young shepherd draw near ? He 
spoke in scornful words. But he suddenly 
became silent as David sent a stone from his 
sling that passed through his forehead and 
entered his brain. As soon as David saw the 
success of his shot, he rushed to the giant’s 
side, seized his sword, and cut off his head. 
cc The watching Philistines were filled with 


The Sweet Singer of Israel 81 

fear. They began to flee. But Saul’s army 
followed and overtook them and killed great 
numbers. 

“All Israel now began to praise David. 
Saul, too, was filled with delight. He declared 
he was willing David should marry his elder 
daughter after a while. 

“ Now the king, as you know, often did 
wild and foolish things. This was, perhaps, 
because he gave way to fits of bad temper. 
When he learned of David’s power to play and 
sing, he often asked the young shepherd to 
quiet his angry feelings with the sweet music 
of his harp and voice. 

“He was very fond of David in those days, 
but after a while he became jealous when he 
heard the constant praises of the people. 
They said, c Saul hath slain his thousands, 
but David his ten thousands.’ 

“ His anger was now turned against the 
brave shepherd. At one time, he threw his 


82 Our Little Jewish Cousin 


spear at David. It was when the lad was 
playing on his harp. But Saul failed to do 
what his wicked heart desired. The Lord 
was protecting the future king of Israel. 

“ Again he tried to kill David, and again he 
failed. Saul must have thought that it was of 
no use, so now he sought to injure the young 
man in a different way. He gave the 
daughter he had promised David to another 
lover. 

“ But Saul soon found that his younger 
daughter loved David. He now said : 

“ c You may have Michal if you will first 
kill one hundred Philistines.’ He only said 
this because he hoped David would be killed 
by the enemy.” 

“ I know what David did,” exclaimed Solo- 
mon, who could keep still no longer. “ He 
went out and destroyed two hundred Philis- 
tines, instead of one hundred.” 

“ Yes,” said Levi, “ and he brought back 


The Sweet Singer of Israel 83 

the spoils and laid them at the feet of Saul. 
The king was now obliged to have David for 
a son-in-law. But he hated him as much as 
ever. 

“ So he told his son Jonathan and some of 
his attendants to kill him. Now Jonathan, as 
you must know, loved David as a brother. 
He did all in his power to make his father 
feel more kindly toward him. He had almost 
succeeded, when Saul was seized with a new 
spirit of madness. All his wicked feelings 
came back, and he hired some bad men to 
take David by surprise when he was asleep, 
and kill him. 

“ Somehow or other, Michal heard of the 
plot. She warned David, and he fled from the 
palace. But Michal did not stop here. She 
made the shape of a man and placed it in 
David's bed. In this way the bad men who 
came to kill him were deceived. 

cc I am rather tired, Rebecca," said Levi, 


84 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

when he had got this far in his story. 
u Won’t you go on and tell the children about 
David's flight? ” 

“ Certainly," said his wife. In her sweet, 
clear voice she made a picture of David hiding 
near Ramah. “ But he was not safe, for Saul 
heard where he was. He sent men there to 
take him prisoner. A strange thing happened 
on their way. They were overcome by the 
spirit of the Lord, and they did not dare seize 
David. 

“ When Saul was told how they had failed, 
he went himself in search of David. But he, 
too, was overpowered by the spirit of the 
Lord. And what do you think happened ? 
Instead of harming him, he asked David to 
come back to the palace. 

“ But David did not feel sure that Saul was 
a true friend. He thought it would be the 
wisest thing for him to see Jonathan first and 
ask him to find out how his father really felt. 


The Sweet Singer of Israel 85 


“ Jonathan was a true friend. It did not 
take him long to learn that Saul was as much 
an enemy as ever. He must now let David 
know about it, and prevent his return to 
the palace. He knew where David was 
hiding, but he did not dare seek him 
out. 

£C Instead of that, he started from the palace 
to go shooting. He took a boy with him. 
When he had come close to the place where 
his friend was hidden, he began to shoot. He 
spoke to the boy from time to time. He used 
such words as to let the listening David know 
that the king was no more his friend than 
ever. 

When Rebecca had got thus far, Miriam 
looked a little perplexed. 

“ I don't see how David could understand 
what he meant," she said. 

c< He had agreed with Jonathan that certain 
words should mean certain things, my dear." 


86 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

ff Oh, I see now. Go on with the story, 
please.” 

Rebecca smiled pleasantly, and went on. 

“ David prepared to flee at once. But he 
had no arms or food. He must have both. 

<c He went to the house of the High Priest. 
When he had entered, he told him he had 
come with a message from the king. He 
asked for the sword of Goliath, which was in 
the High Priest's keeping. He also asked for 
five sacred loaves of shewbread, which no one 
dared to eat except the priests. 

cc When these had been given him he 
hurried away. He had one adventure after 
another. It was about this time that he hid 
in the cave of Adullam. His brothers and 
a great many other Israelites joined him there. 

“ While he was hiding in the cave of Adul- 
lam, the prophet of God came to him, telling 
him to go into the land of Judah. He started 
at once to obey the prophet's command. Saul 


The Sweet Singer of Israel 87 

heard where he was and followed him. On 
his way, the king heard how David had been 
helped by the High Priest. He was so angry 
that he ordered not only the High Priest to 
be killed, but also his eighty-five helpers, and 
all the people of the town in which he lived. 

“ The son of the High Priest managed 
to escape. He fled to David and told him 
the sad story. You can imagine how bad 
David felt when he learned what had hap- 
pened through his own deceit. But his mind 
was kept busy with plans to keep out of Saul’s 
reach, for the king followed him from place to 
place. 

cc One night while David was hiding in a 
cave, the king stopped to rest at that very 
spot. Little did he dream who was so near 
him. While he lay sleeping David crept to 
his side and cut off a piece of his cloak. He 
might have killed Saul at this time, but he had 
too great a heart. 


88 Our Little Jewish Cousin 


“The next day, just as the king was riding 
away in his chariot, David appeared in the 
mouth of the cave. He held up the piece he 
had cut from Saul’s cloak. Then the king 
knew he had been in David’s power. He saw 
how generously he had been treated. He 
felt such shame that he determined to do 
the young man no more harm. But his 
heart soon grew wicked again and once more 
he began to persecute him. 

“ David again showed him how generous 
he was. He crept into Saul’s tent one night. 
The king’s army was encamped all around 
him. Only a servant went with David on 
this dangerous trip. 

“No one saw them as they stole along. 
No one heard them as David stepped to the 
side of the sleeping Saul and seized his spear 
and cup ; then away they sped till they reached 
the hilltop opposite the one where Saul had 
taken his stand. 


L.fC. 


The Sweet Singer of Israel 89 

“ David now cried out in a loud voice to wake 
the sleeping army. He showed the cup and 
spear he had taken away from Saul’s tent. 
Saul saw that David had spared his life 
a second time. He was again filled with 
gratitude. 

“ But David had learned not to trust him. 
He sought a home among the Philistines and 
helped them in their wars. They treated him 
with great kindness and their king became 
his true friend. 

“ Not long after this, the Philistines went 
out to battle against Saul. David was not with 
them at this time. It was a sad day for the 
Israelites. They were badly beaten and Saul’s 
sons were killed. Yes, even David’s faithful 
friend Jonathan lost his life. Saul was over- 
come with sorrow. He threw himself upon 
his sword and died by his own hand. 

“ When David heard the news he felt very 
sad. He mourned bitterly over the death of 


90 Our Little Jewish Cousin 

Jonathan. But this could not be helped 
now, and there was much work to do for his 
people. 

“ The Israelites were in a pitiful state. The 
Philistines had most of the country in their 
power. A leader was needed. That leader 
was at hand. It was David, the hero, the 
Sweet Singer. 

“ c How just he is ! ’ said the people. c How 
brave he is ! all cried. 

“ Not long after this he was crowned King 
of Israel. At first, he lived in Hebron, but 
afterward he went to Jerusalem, where a beauti- 
ful palace was built for him and his family. 
And now he went on and became great, for 
the Lord God of hosts was with him.” 

Rebecca bowed her head as she said these 
words. 

“ Let us chant one of the psalms of David,” 
said Levi. “ It is a good way to end our 
afternoon.” 


The Sweet Singer of Israel 91 

Rebecca began the words of the beautiful 
twenty-third psalm. The others joined their 
voices with hers. 


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her girl friends and companions shows that she is 
equally at home in telling a tale in which the leading 
character is a boy, and in describing his troubles and 
triumphs in a way that will enhance her reputation as a 
skilled and sympathetic writer of stories for children. 


Songs and Rhymes for the Little 

Ones. Compiled by Mary Whitney Morri- 
son (Jenny Wallis). 

New edition, with an introduction by Mrs. A. D. T. 
Whitney and eight illustrations. 

One vol., large i 2 mo, cloth decorative . . $1.00 

No better description of this admirable book can be 
given than Mrs. Whitney’s happy introduction : 

“ One might almost as well offer June roses with the 
assurance of their sweetness, as to present this lovely 
little gathering of verse, which announces itself, like 
them, by its deliciousness. Yet, as Mrs. Morrison’s 
charming volume has long been a delight to me, I am 
only too happy to link my name with its new and en- 
riched form in this slight way, and simply declare that it 
is to me the most bewitching book of songs for little 
people that I have ever known.” 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


PHYLLIS' FIELD FRIENDS SERIES 

By LENORE E. MULETS 

Four vols., cloth decorative, illustrated. Sold sepa- 
rately, or as a set. 

Per volume $0.80 net 

Per set $3.20 net 

1. Insect Stories. 

2. Stories of Little Animals. 

3. Flower Stories. 

4. Bird Stories. 

In this series of four little Nature books, it is the 
author’s intention so to present to the child reader the 
facts about each particular flower, insect, bird, or 
animal, in story form, as to make delightful reading of 
the facts of science, which the child is to verify through 
his field lessons and experiences. Classical legends, 
myths, poems and songs are so presented as to correlate 
fully with these lessons, to which the excellent illustra- 
tions are no little help. 

THE WOODRANGER TALES 

By G. WALDO BROWNE 

The Woodranger. 

The Young Gunbearer. 

The Hero of the Hills. 

Each i vol., large i2mo, cloth, decorative 
cover, illustrated, per volume . . . . $ 1.00 

Three vols., boxed, per set . . $3.00 

“The Woodranger Tales,” like the “Pathfinder 
Tales” of J. Fenimore Cooper, combine historical in- 
formation relating to early pioneer days in America with 
interesting adventures in the backwoods. Although the 
same characters are continued throughout the series, 
each book is complete in itself, and while based strictly 
on historical facts, is an interesting and exciting tale of 
adventure which will delight all boys and be by no means 
art welcome to their elders. 


6 


L. C. PAGE AND COMPANY'S 


The Rosamond Tales. By Cuyler Reyn- 
olds, With 30 full-page illustrations from original 
photographs, and with a frontispiece from a drawing 
by Maud Humphreys. 

One vol., large i2mo, cloth decorative . . $1.50 

These are just the bedtime stories that children always 
ask for, but do not always get. Rosamond and Rosa- 
lind are the hero and heroine of many happy adventures 
in town and on their grandfather’s farm ; and the happy 
listeners to their story will unconsciously absorb a vast 
amount of interesting knowledge of birds, animals, and 
flowers. The book will be a boon to tired mothers, and 
a delight to wide-awake children. 


Larry Hudson’s Ambition. By James 

Otis, author of “ Toby Tyler,” etc. Illustrated by 
Eliot Keen. 

One vol., library i2mo, cloth, decorative cover, #1.25 
James Otis, who has delighted the juvenile public 
with so many popular stories, has written the story of 
the rise of the bootblack Larry. Larry is not only 
capable of holding his own and coming out with flying 
colors in the amusing adventures wherein he befriends 
the family of good Deacon Doak; he also has the 
signal ability to know what he wants and to understand 
that hard work is necessary to win. 


Black Beauty : the autobiography of a 

Horse. By Anna Sewell. New Illustrated 
Edition. With nineteen full-page drawings by Wini- 
fred Austin. 

One vol., large i2mo, cloth decorative, gilt top, $1.25 
There have been many editions of this classic, but we 
confidently offer this one as the most appropriate and 
handsome yet produced. The illustrations are of special 
value and beauty. Miss Austin is a lover of horses, and 
has delighted in tracing with her pen the beauty and 
grace of the noble animal. 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


7 


The Stofy Of Kate, a Tale of California 

Life for Girls. By Pauline Bradford Mackie. 

Illustrations by L. J. Bridgman. 

One vol., library i2mo, cloth, 

$1.20 net , postpaid, $1.32 
“ One of the most charming books of the season for girls, 
is this, with its lovable characters and entertaining adven- 
tures — Albany Times Union. 

“ Pauline Bradford Mackie’s new story is one of genuine 
delight, and scarcely a better volume could be purchased for 
girls.” — Boston Journal . 

Ye Lyttle Salem Maide : A Story of 
Witchcraft. By Pauline Bradford Mackie. 

New Illustrated Edition. 

One vol., large 1 2mo, cloth, gilt top . . $1.50 

“ The beauty of the story lies in its simplicity and pathos 
mingled with the lighter vein of humor.” — Toledo Blade. 

“No one can read the story without being profoundly 
stirred.” — Baltimore Herald. 

“ Full of color and fine feeling.” — Albany Argus. 

In Kings’ Houses : a tale of the days of 
Queen Anne. By Julia C. R. Dorr. New Illus- 
trated Edition. 

One vol., large i 2 mo, cloth, gilt top . . $1.50 

“We close the book with a wish that the author may write 
more of the history of England, which she knows so well.” — 
Bookman , New York. 

“ A story with a charm that will hardly be withstood.” — 
Kansas City Times. 

“A fine, strong story which it is a relief to come upon. 
Related with charming simple art.” — Public Ledger, Phila- 
delphia. 

Gulliver’s Bird Book. Being the Newly 
Discovered Strange Adventures of Lemuel 
Gulliver, Now for the First Time Described 
and Illustrated. By L. J. Bridgman, author of 
“ Mother Goose and Her Wild Beast Show,” etc. 
With upwards of 100 illustrations in color, large 
quarto, cloth . . . . . . $1.50 

This is a most amusing and original book, illustrated 
with startlingly odd and clever drawings. “ Gulliver’s 
Bird Book ” will prove a source of entertainment to 
children of all ages, and should prove one of the leading 
color juveniles of the season. 


THE UTTLE COUSIN SERIES 

The most delightful and interesting accounts possible 
of child-life in other lands, filled with quaint sayings^ 
doings, and adventures. 

Each i vol., i2mo, decorative cover, cloth, with six 
full-page illustrations in color by L. J. Bridgman. 

Price per volume . . $0.50 net, postpaid #0.56 

“ Juveniles will get a whole world of pleasure and instruc- 
tion out of Mary Hazelton Wade’s Little Cousin Series. . . . 
Pleasing narratives give pictures of the little folk in the far- 
away lands in their duties and pleasures, showing their odd 
ways of playing, studying, their queer homes, clothes, and 
playthings. . . . The style of the stories is all that can be 
desired for entertainment, the author describing things in a 
very real and delightful fashion.” — Detroit News- Tribune. 

By MARY HAZELTON WADE 

Our Little Swiss Cousin. 

Our Little Norwegian Cousin. 

Our Little Italian Cousin. 

Our Little Siamese Cousin. 

Our Little Cuban Cousin. 

Our Little Hawaiian Cousin. 

Our Little Eskimo Cousin. 

Our Little Philippine Cousins 
Our Little Porto Rican Cousin. 

Ou^ Little African Cousin. 

Our Little Japanese Cousin. 

Our Little Brown Cousin. 

Our Little Indian Cousin. 

Our Little Russian Cousin. 

By ISAAC HEADLAND TAYLOR 

Little Chinese Cousin. 


COSY CORNER SERIES 


It is the intention of the publishers that this series shall 
eontain only the very highest and purest literature, — 
stories that shall not only appeal to the children them- 
selves, but be appreciated by all those who feel with 
them in their joys and sorrows, — stories that shall be 
most particularly adapted for reading aloud in the 
family circle. 

The numerous illustrations in each book are by well- 
known artists, and each volume has a separate attract- 
ive cover design. 

Each, i vol., i6mo, cloth ..... $0.50 

By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON 

The Little Colonel, 

The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its 
heroine is a small girl, who is known as the Little 
Colonel, on account of her fancied resemblance to an 
old-school Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and 
old family are famous in the region. This old Colonel 
proves to be the grandfather of the child. 

The Giant Scissors. 

This is the story of Joyce and of her adventures in 
France, — the wonderful house with the gate of The 
Giant Scissors, Jules, her little playmate, Sister Denisa, 
the cruel Brossard, and her dear Aunt Kate. Joyce is 
a great friend of the Little Colonel, and in later volumes 
shares with her the delightful experiences of the “ House 
Party ” and the “ Holidays.” 


2 


L. C. PAGE AND COMPANY'S 


By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON {Continued) 

Two Little Knights of Kentucky, 

Who Were the Little Colonel’s Neighbors. 
In this volume the Little Colonel returns to us like an 
old friend, but with added grace and charm. She is 
not, however, the central figure of the story, that place 
being taken by the “ two little knights.” 

Cicely and Other Stories for Qirls. 

The readers of Mrs. Johnston’s charming juveniles 
will be glad to learn of the issue of this volume for 
young people, written in the author’s sympathetic and 
entertaining manner. 

Aunt ’Liza’s Hero and Other Stories. 

A collection of six bright little stories, which will 
appeal to all boys and most girls. 

Big Brother. 

A story of two boys. The devotion and care of 
Steven, himself a small boy, for his baby brother, is the 
theme of the simple tale, the pathos and beauty of which 
has appealed to so many thousands. 

Ole riammy’s Torment. 

“Ole Mammy’s Torment” has been fitly called “a 
classic of Southern life.” It relates the haps and mis- 
haps of a small negro lad, and tells how he was led by 
love and kindness to a knowledge of the right. 

The Story of Dago. 

In this story Mrs. Johnston relates the story of Dago, 
a pet monkey, owned jointly by two brothers. Dago 
tells his own story, and the account of his haps and mis- 
haps is both interesting and amusing. 



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